Blue Ridge Ultra Marathon

The Blue Ridge Ultra begins and ends near the historic Shallowford iron bridge crossing the Toccoa River in Blue Ridge, Georgia. This fall trail race takes place in the Chattahoochee National Forest, offering 50K, 30K, and 15K distances. The 50K is a mountain loop incorporating extended sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail, brief hidden paths, and forest service roads. Participants will encounter technical singletrack, creek crossings, steep ascents, and challenging descents, all set against the backdrop of autumn foliage. The course follows Free Knob and the Benton MacKaye Trail from the bridge, ascending toward Garland Mountain Gap and Brawley Mountain. Those running the longer distances proceed over Bald Top and Tipton mountains to Wilscot Gap, cross Highway 60 with caution, and continue climbing over Wilscot and Deadennen mountains. The 50K route includes Skeenah Gap Road, Duncan Ridge Trail, Rhodes Mountain's summit, and a lengthy, undulating clay-road segment on Forest Service Road 640 before heading back to the finish. A 15K with canine participants is also featured, with dogs and their handlers starting five minutes after the main 15K field. A cash prize is available for any runner who sets a new 50K course record.